ATypical

Disability & Literature

An Episode Review: S1, E5 “That’s my Sweatshirt”

To bring awareness to Autism, I have dedicated a review poster of the show, Atypical. A show which brings attention to the everyday life of Sam Gardner, a teenager who is on the spectrum. By talking about Sam’s symptoms, lifestyle, and the community that interacts with him, readers will get a better understanding with people with this disability. By watching this series, viewers will realize that Sam Gardner doesn’t need to be treated any differently than your friends or neighbors. I am very passionate about bringing attention to those with disabilities, and telling the world that those who have disabilities do not want to be fixed by anyone that they encounter. 

Sam Gardner

The main character of this television series, Atypical, stars a high schooler on the Autism spectrum. Autism defined is a “developmental disability that affects an individual’s ability to communicate and the ability to engage in social interaction” (2). Sam Gardner is 18 years old, and is eager to explore newer things while he grows to be more mature. Sam works at a technology store called “Techtropolis” with his best friend, Zahid, and enjoys listening to Zahid’s stories about girls. Listening to these anecdotes, Sam brings up to his therapist (in previous episodes) on how he would get a girlfriend. In this episode, Sam gets a girlfriend that he so much wanted.. However, he gets seriously frustrated when his new girlfriend takes his green hoodie. 

Little did Sam know, girls love having something of their man’s to feel closer to them!

Another thing viewers should know is that Sam is very passionate about Antarctica, and it’s wondrous penguins that live there! He often relates his own life to the animals that live in the Arctic. With his fascinating memory, and genuine heart, Sam is not afraid to speak his own truth whether somebody wants to hear it or not. 

People with autism have different ways of learning, paying attention, and reacting to situations. Signs of autism last throughout a person’s life, so I broke this review down by titling the symptoms that Sam Gardner shows in Atypical.

Lack of eye contact and trouble adapting to “newness”

In the beginning of the episode, Sam says that before he started working at Techtropolis, he learned about every detail within the store. Including the products, the store’s rules, and procedures. Sam even included in his thoughts that he had to watch what he says to customers. Like, not telling customers they smell bad when they seriously do! 

A common trait that people with autism struggle with is being unemotionally blunt. While some of Sam’s bluntness can be harsh, some of it can be rather funny. Sam described his boss as “having hairy knuckles, but being very nice” (0:26). Something like noticing someone with hairy knuckles as a first impression is very unusual but comical. Oftentimes, people on the spectrum will avoid eye contact in first times of meeting. Which carries into an assumption that people like Sam are “socially awkward.” Sam often notices other particular things that most people don’t in social interactions. Which makes his character unique and fun to learn more about. Makes viewers wonder what Sam Gardner has to say about you?

After Sam’s first shift, he explains to his audience how he doesn’t enjoy new things coming into his life. But, then relates his situation to how arctic animals need to experience newness to survive (1:25).  Sam is also encouraged by his therapist to explore new things as he grows up. Two of the things being a job, and getting a girlfriend.

Trouble expressing their needs using words or motions

Paige Hardaway, Sam’s girlfriend, is super controlling when it comes to being in a relationship. In this particular episode, Paige attempts to control Sam and his “arctic talk” by giving him an amount of cards. Each time Sam talks about Antarctica or animals that live there, he has to give up a card to Paige. Once he runs out, he cannot talk about the Arctic anymore. Paige manipulates the fact that Sam likes to follow rules, and feels that his factual information is annoying, and irritating to others. Sam is questioned by his mother if he likes this method or not, and Sam bluntly states that “it’s annoying, but it makes everyone happy” (6:50). Sam clearly doesn’t like when others try to fix what he is passionate about. Let alone, Sam doesn’t want anyone to mess up on his idea of order. When Paige walks into his room, she starts to fidget with every single one of his things (7:14). This irritates Sam, and causes him to do the only thing he feels that would work: locking Paige in the closet. The only way Sam knows how to express his emotions is by simply doing. Finding comical relief in this scene, Paige, oddly accepts that Sam needed to be alone. But, still, doesn’t seem to respect Sam’s personal space. While she is locked in the closet, Paige secretly takes Sam’s sweatshirt. 

The following day, Paige prances up to Sam at school wearing his green hoodie. Sam immediately notices, and can’t stand the thought of somebody wearing a piece of his clothing (12:17). After Paige rambles about how cool it is to wear this sweatshirt, Sam physically leaves the conversation without an explanation. Thus, showing viewers the best way Sam can handle that situation, was to just take himself out of the problem physically (12:50). 

Trouble understanding one’s feelings towards something

Towards the end, Paige wonders why Sam has distanced himself from her. So, she goes to Sam’s sister, Casey, for advice. Casey bluntly tells her that she needed to lay off her brother because he didn’t eat his lunch the other day. As she continued, Casey reminded Paige that “this is what you get with Sam”, giving her brother a negative connotation (19:20). Being the protective sister she is, Casey then questions why Paige is with him in the first place. 

Paige describes Sam with such positive qualities. But then, describes Sam’s way of thinking as interesting. 

Casey warns Paige one last time that if she leaves, Sam will be more hurt than anyone else. People with autism barely like change, so Casey assumed that it would be best if that relationship stopped (20:25). While some with autism might struggle with serious and emotional feelings. Sam certainly wants to explore that on his own. Just like no one should make those sorts of assumptions about anyone. 

Sam makes that known to Casey that she was wrong for pushing Paige away, and that he is well-off (23:19). Go Sam!!

Prefer not to be affectionate unless wanted

When Sam finally realizes that he wants to keep Paige around, he interrupts the French class she is currently in. Not giving one single care in the world that he is showing inappropriate behavior. Sam confesses that even though Paige can be a handful, he’d much rather have her around than not (27:40). Also, so Paige doesn’t steal anything of his, Sam kindly bought her something that would remind her of him when they are a part. At the end of his speech, Paige, being the highly emotional girl she is, proceeds to kiss Sam. But, get this! Sam doesn’t close his eyes or kiss her back (28:40). Two very common reactions to being kissed by someone. Not Sam! Which makes this scene hilarious but also letting the  viewers know that Sam doesn’t really appreciate affection unless he asks for it. And you can tell, he’s totally not into it! 

Conclusion

Sam Gardner is a bright, honest, and courageous man. He isn’t afraid to tell people what he thinks of them, and stands up for himself when he feels that he isn’t being treated equally. While his family is protective of him, Sam shows that he is bold enough to explore the unknown; mostly Paige and that handful.

By reading this review, readers will entail: the signs and symptoms of those with autism, how others feel that they have to treat those with autism, and how assumptions should not be made. 

Just like anyone, no one wants to be treated any differently than your friend or neighbor. 

Season 1-3 are streaming on Netflix. 

500 Word Write Up – 

Atypical Episode Review: “That’s my sweatshirt”

I am a sucker for a good Netflix binge, and I also love reading into T.V. and movie reviews. So when I was brainstorming for project ideas, I thought what could be better than doing a review on not only one of my favorite Netflix shows, but a show that supported the awareness of people with autism. I am also a staff writer and editor for the Blue & Gray Press. So I felt that I had the skills to bring this T.V. poster to life with my journalism background. 

Sam Gardner, which is the main character of the series, is on the Autism spectrum. Sam is an 18 year-old, going through everyday life as a high schooler. Of course, he finds himself in drama with his girlfriend, Paige. Along with some other troubles, like defending himself with the help of his sister, and the affair in his family. Sam is super independent, and can tell you the hard truth without even asking for it! I admire Sam’s character because of his eagerness and heart for others and of course, his love for penguins! He is brilliant in the ways he can recall any fact about Antarctica, and it’s arctic animals. 

My process for this project was to find a layout that was easily presentable and with a big image. I found a poster layout on Google Docs, that presents a picture, along with titles that provided sections of the poster. Making this review pretty, and organized will attract readers and interest into watching the series. I also decided instead of focusing on the entire show, I chose an episode from season one that showed a lot on what I wanted to focus on: Sam’s signs and symptoms with autism (within this particular episode). Stating these signs and symptoms can bring attention to those who don’t know what people with autism struggle with. It’s important that disability studies should be known, and what better way to learn than to watch a fictional, fun and informational series? I also wanted to include in my review how others talk and approach a person with a disability like autism. In this particular episode: how Paige and Casey (Sam’s sister) talk about Sam.

In “That’s my Sweatshirt”, Sam’s girlfriend, Paige, doesn’t respect Sam’s personal space at home. Sam locks Paige in his closet for punishment, because he claimed that he didn’t like others in his “den”. He uses the word, ‘den’, to relate himself to the animals he studies. Which I think is a fascinating thing that Sam does on a normal basis. Paige, a controlling girlfriend, creates a “game” on how much Sam can talk about his Arctic facts by giving Sam a certain amount of cards. Paige then takes them away each time he says something about the Arctic.

 I felt that talking about how others feel as if they can “help fix or save” people with disabilities should be mentioned in my project. The significance and importance of my T.V. review is to reach out to people who don’t know much about autism. By watching this Netflix series, people can experience a real and raw show that will present the everyday life of a teenageer with autism. It’s important that we don’t treat people like Sam differently or feel as if we have to fix them. Instead we should treat them equally, and with kindness.     

Write up – Word Count: 566

T.V. Review – Word Count: 1371

“I hereby declare upon my word of honor that I have neither given nor received unauthorized help on this work.”

X  Tori Percherke

Citations: 

“Signs and Symptoms.” Autism Society, www.autism-society.org/what-is/symptoms/.

“What Is Autism Spectrum Disorder?” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 25 Mar. 2020, www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/facts.html.

(Picture) “Atypical.” IMDb, IMDb.com, 11 Aug. 2017, www.imdb.com/title/tt6315640/.